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PERSONAL ELECTRICITY USE

In 2011–12, 89% of Australians took steps to limit their personal electricity use. This was relatively consistent across all Australian states and territories, with the exception of the Northern Territory where 79% of people had taken steps to limit their personal electricity use. Australians aged 18–24 were less likely to limit their personal electricity use, with 79% having taken steps compared with 92% of Australians aged 35–74 years. (Tables 4 and 5)

For the 11% of Australians who did not take steps to limit their personal electricity use, nearly a third (32%) said it was because their electricity consumption was already low enough. (Tables 4 and 6)

The proportion of Australians who decreased their electricity use was lower in 2011–12 (42%) compared with 2007–08 (47%). Furthermore, electricity use for 48% of Australians in 2011–12 had stayed the same compared with 45% in 2007–08. (Table 1 and Graph 4)

Among the states and territories, electricity use for more than half of Australians living in the Australian Capital Territory (53%), the Northern Territory (53%), Tasmania (52%) and Victoria (50%) had stayed the same. The proportion of Australians whose personal electricity use had decreased varied between states and territories ranging from 32% in the Northern Territory to 45% in New South Wales. (Table 5 and Graph 5)

Of the estimated 7.2 million Australians who decreased their electricity use, the most common reasons were trying to conserve energy (63%) and cost saving (37%). The reasons people's personal electricity use had decreased were similar across all states and territories. (Table 8)

The factors that influenced Australians when making a purchase varied depending on the appliance:

Water efficiency was an influencing factor for people whose most recent purchase was a washing machine (73%) or dishwasher (73%)

Purchase price was an important factor to those who had recently purchased a refrigerator (75%), separate freezer (70%) or electric heater (64%)

Energy efficiency was an important factor for those whose most recent purchase was an air conditioner (75%).